WKYT FirstAlert Weather

A major winter storm is on the way to the bluegrass state. Local high water issues are possible early Wednesday and that will be followed up by heavy snow and sleet. Significant accumulations are likely Wednesday night and Thursday.

Severe Weather Alert

A major winter storm is on the way to the bluegrass state. Local high water issues are possible early Wednesday and that will be followed up by heavy snow and sleet. Significant accumulations are likely Wednesday night and Thursday.

Community honors Pike County fire victims

PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - People in a community devastated by a fire that killed a father, and his four young children, came together to support each other and to honor the victims.

The fire broke out early Wednesday morning at a Pike County home.

William Wilfong was killed, along with his children, ages five, four, two, and six months.

Two of the children attended Valley Elementary School. People gathered to honor these students and their family at the school system's middle school in Virgie Wednesday night.

"It's just been such a tragic loss for us and a blow to our community," said Freddie Bowling, who is the principal at Valley Elementary School.

Ribbons were worn for Dakota, five, and Tyler Wilfong, four, along with Cheyenne, two, Emily, six months, and their father, William Wilfong who died in the fire.

And the middle school had a moment silence for this family left with only one, the mother Tammy Wilfong.

"Things happen in communities," said Principal Bowling. "As a school and family community, we have to try to come together and support each other and try to get through it."

The principal at Valley Elementary School says in his eight years as an administrator, the school hasn't lost a student, let alone two brothers.

"I don't even want to look at it," said Jasmine Tucker, aunt to children. "I mean I have stayed in that house plenty of times with them. I was actually up here Sunday with them. I didn't think that was going to be the last time that I would see them."

Not seeing these children again is what is hard for everyone to comprehend.

"I wish it would've been me instead of them," said Tucker.

"It just seems so unreal," said Principal Bowling.

School officials say they are in the works of organizing a fund for this family to help out with funeral arrangements at Community Trust Bank.

On Wednesday night, officials at UK Hospital told WKYT that Tammy Wilfong had been upgraded to serious condition.

Hall and Jones Funeral Home in Virgie is taking care of the family's funeral arrangements which have not yet been made.

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